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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
7-6-6, 4-3-1
VCU
7-5-5, 5-1-2
Men's Soccer Falls Short In Atlantic 10 Semifinals
November 08, 2023 | Men's Soccer
The top seeded VCU Rams bested No. 7 UMass, 3-1
RICHMOND, Va.- The University of Massachusetts men's soccer team fell to the top seeded VCU Rams 3-1 on Wednesday night. Michael Rojas scored the lone goal for UMass who finished the season with a record of 7-6-6 while VCU (7-5-5) will go on to host Dayton in the championship on Sunday.
Early into the match, Michael Rojas scored a worldie to put UMass up 1-0 in the 11th minute. Rojas took a left footed shot from well outside the 18 yard box to beat VCU goalkeeper John Ermini for his third goal in the maroon and white.
After surrendering the first goal of the game, the Rams started applying the pressure, maintaining possession and recording five shots before adding the equalizer in the 41st minute. Comilo Comi headed one by Matt Zambetti to tie the game off a Gerardo Castillo corner kick.
Holding the momentum, the Rams would score again in the final minute of the first half. Andrey Salmeron possessed the ball off a VCU throw-in and struck one to the top right corner to give the Rams the lead with just 23 seconds remaining in the half.
In the 53rd minute, Andrew Ortiz had one of the better scoring opportunities for the Minutemen. Ortiz got the ball just outside the six yard box and shot nearside but Ermini was able to punch it away for his second save of the night.
In the 57th minute, the Rams were able to extend their lead to two. After an Andrey Salmeron shot hit the left woodwork and bounced to Jonathan Kanagwa, Alex Brown blocked his shot before William Hitchcock cleaned up the mess to push the VCU lead to two.
Nick Zielonka nearly got one back for UMass on a free kick in the 64th minute. After a VCU handball, Zielonka took the free kick and his shot rang the crossbar and the game remained 3-1. Ryan Levay had a shot catch the crossbar as well in the 87th as the Minutemen were searching for a pair of goals late.
The match finished with a 12-11 (5-4 SOG) advantage in favor of the Rams. Zambetti and Ermini both finished the contest with three saves while Michael Rojas led the Minutemen offensively, netting his solo shot.
For complete coverage of the UMass men's soccer team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook at @UMassMSoccer and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
Team Stats
Michael Rojas (3)
Assisted By: Nick Zielonka
GOAL by UMA Rojas, Michael Assist by Zielonka, Nick.
10:52
0
GOAL by VCU TEAM.
41:00
Andrey Salmeron (3)
GOAL by VCU Salmeron, Andrey.
44:37
William Hitchcock (3)
Assisted By: Jonathan Kanagwa
GOAL by VCU Hitchcock, William Assist by Kanagwa, Jonathan.
56:57
